Methods and systems for obtaining and processing information for interrelated processes

Abstract

A method creates and employs a process tier structure to determine changes to a process made up of interrelated processes. All stakeholders of the process are determined, each stakeholder having a set of associated characteristics and a set of associated processes. A process tier is then determined for each stakeholder based upon the set of associated characteristics and the set of associated processes of each stakeholder. A process tier structure is created based upon the determined tiers. The process tier structure provides information regarding interactions between the process stakeholders and the process tiers, as well as information regarding the interrelationships among the set of associated processes of the process stakeholders. The process tier structure may then be used to model the process, evaluate process modification requirements, implement determined modifications efficiently, and produce documentation or analysis of the process.

1 . A method comprising:
 determining a plurality of stakeholders of a process, each stakeholder having a set of associated characteristics and a set of associated processes;   determining a process tier for each stakeholder based upon the set of associated characteristics and the set of associated processes; and   creating a process tier structure to depict the process, the process tier structure based upon the determined process tiers, the process tier structure providing information regarding an interaction between each of the plurality of process stakeholders and each of the plurality of process tiers, the process tier structure based upon and depicting information regarding the interrelationships among the set of associated processes of each of the plurality of process stakeholders.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the steps of determining a plurality of stakeholders of a process, determining a process tier for each stakeholder, and creating a process tier structure to depict the process is implemented using a digital processing system. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the process tier structure is used to model the process. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein modeling the process includes creating a documentation of the process, providing means for analyzing the process, and creating a software application for effecting the process. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the process tier structure is used to determine affects of one or more modifications to the interrelated processes. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the process tier structure is used to determine an approach to modifying the interrelated processes. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interrelated processes provide social services to a recipient population. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the stakeholders of the process include receivers of social services, providers of social services, local oversight agency, and state oversight agency. 
     
     
         9 . A machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform a method, the method comprising:
 determining a plurality of stakeholders of a process, each stakeholder having a set of associated characteristics and a set of associated processes;   determining a process tier for each stakeholder based upon the set of associated characteristics and the set of associated processes; and   creating a process tier structure to depict the process, the process tier structure based upon the determined process tiers, the process tier structure providing information regarding an interaction between each of the plurality of process stakeholders and each of the plurality of process tiers, the process tier structure based upon and depicting information regarding the interrelationships among the set of associated processes of each of the plurality of process stakeholders.   
     
     
         10 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 9  wherein the process tier structure is used to model the process. 
     
     
         11 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 10  wherein modeling the process includes creating a documentation of the process, providing means for analyzing the process, and creating a software application for effecting the process 
     
     
         12 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein the process tier structure is used to determine affects of one or more modifications to the interrelated processes. 
     
     
         13 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein the process tier structure is used to determine an approach to modifying the interrelated processes. 
     
     
         14 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein the interrelated processes provide social services to a recipient population. 
     
     
         15 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein the stakeholders of the process include receivers of social services, providers of social services, local oversight agency, and regional oversight agency.